Palestinians threaten international court over settlement building

JERUSALEM — The Palestinian Authority has threatened to take Israel to the International Criminal Court in The Hague over plans to build Jewish housing on a controversial land corridor near Jerusalem.

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki said Wednesday at a United Nations Security Council meeting on the Middle East that the Palestinians would turn to the international court if Israel follows through with plans to build 3,000 housing units in the area known as E1, located between Jerusalem and the West Bank city of Maale Adumim on land the Palestinians say is necessary to form a state.

"If Israel would like to go further by implementing the E-1 plan and the other related plans around Jerusalem then yes, we will be going to the ICC," Malki said. "We have no other choice. It depends on the Israeli decision."

Israel's announcement of plans to build on the E1land came on the heels of the Palestinian Authority achieving upgraded non-member state status at the United Nations General Assembly.

With the enhanced status, the PA became eligible to apply to join the court.

The International Criminal Court prosecutes major human rights violations, including charges of genocide, and war crimes. Building Jewish housing on land claimed by the Palestinians could be considered a war crime.